Events Books

This brief selection of Robert Ingersoll's writing is one which I would repeatedly pick up to read an essay, put it down and walk away, and read some more the following day. No, it was not that bad, it was, in fact, that good. I felt the need to read it over a week's time rather than finish it in one sitting on a quiet afternoon, which easily could be done, so that the words had time to soak in. Ingersoll, though he wrote over a century ago, gives modern readers a great deal to think about. Truly, it is easy to forget that these works are not contemporary, as the issues he speaks about are still relevant, and perhaps even more so now. It is not until he mentions things such as workers earning three dollars a day that we are reminded of our distance in time, if not in character and predicament. It also reminds us of how desperately our country needs an Ingersoll today.

Ingersoll was a pragmatic agnostic and an incredible moral thinker. Then, as now, his skepticism kept him from reaching high political office. Readers will find that his reasoning is sound and powerfully convincing while his language remains approachable but still with its own inspirational beauty:

"You cannot be so poor that you cannot help somebody. Good nature is the cheapest commodity in the world; and love is the only thing that will pay ten per cent to borrower and lender both. Do not tell me that you have got to be rich! We have a false standard of greatness in the United States. We think here that a man must be great, that he must be notorious; that he must be extremely wealthy, or that his name must be upon the putrid lips of rumor. It is all a mistake. It is not necessary to be rich or to be great, or to be powerful, to be happy. The happy man is the successful man. Happiness is the legal tender of the soul. Joy is wealth." (Ingersoll 1877)

I cannot recommend this book strongly enough to anyone who is concerned with the state of America and its constitution, church and state relations, child abuse, and various other issues. Ingersoll reveals even the ridiculousness of today's political debates, where a candidate's faith is often more important than their political platform. Tim Page's introduction is informative and places Ingersoll's works in their historical and modern context. Also, Page has edited some of Ingersoll's essays, but not to their detriment. And really, at ten dollars (almost four days pay in Ingersoll's time, but probably less than an hours work for you), how can you go wrong?

So wrote editor Tim Page of Robert G. Ingersoll in the introduction to this short, easy to read book. Ingersoll was one of the intellectual giants of the second half of the 19th century. Sadly and tragically he is now all but forgotten. Known as The Great Agnostic, he spent his life pointing out hypocrisy, railing against injustice and ridiculing superstitious beliefs. As America's foremost practitioner of rational thought, he had the ear of many a President. Yet he remained always modest and never deviated from living a life characterized by kindness, love of humanity and generosity in all things.

Any writing or speech attributable to Robert Ingersoll is worth reading and rereading. And those contained in What's God Got to Do with It? are no exceptions. This collection consists of a number of short works on a wide range of subjects. Like his admiration for Robert Burns and Thomas Paine. The unfairness of tax exempt status for churches. The ugliness of corporeal punishment of children. The futility of prayer and fasting. Women's rights and much, much more.

For those unfamiliar with the humanistic philosophy of Robert Ingersoll, this book would be a fine place to start. America sorely needs another Ingersoll now more than ever. He was one of the greats.

If only more people had the guts to put the defense of the constitution ahead of their personal desires this country would be great forever. Robert Ingersoll is one of the greatest Americans of all time, and his words should be studied in every history class in America. Why aren't they? I will let you figure that out.

At only 130 pages or so - and short ones at that, this is not some massive tome by a guy who wrote 120 years years ago in flowery 19th century language that will sit on your shelf gathering dust.

You can chew this up in an afternoon - or a few afternoons, if you'd like to savor it more. And it's completely readable prose - no archaic Victorian language here.

In fact, the main thing that makes one realize that this book isn't contemporary writing is the lack of cynicism and snarkiness aimed at the other side; religious zealots that want to insert God into public policy, law, education and so on.

There's no bitterness here, no anger at what has been lost or could be lost in our society if we overthrow rational thought, enlightenment and science over for any 2000 year old magic book.

Ingersoll's points about why God is not mentioned in the US Constitution and why that was such a bold important step in the evolution of society is something that I wish every fundamentalist in America would read and consider.

Tim Page's non-sycophantic intro to Ingersoll is also well-done, pointing out how remarkable he was, even if his writings never produced the single polished gem that might have kept his works known a little more in the early 21st century.

It's a valuable book for any freethinker in America today; cheap, and well put together. Highly recommended.

This book is a quick read with short chapters. Very logical and intelligently expressed. Ingersoll was a man ahead of his time. After readig this, I will certainly look for more of his writings.

Rarely does one book encompass all of the finest elements of fiction-- well-developed, intriguing characters; a heart-warming and seamless plot; and most importantly, an authentic, crystal-clear voice. "When Charlotte Comes Home" is such a book. In her first novel, Millea Smith creates the well-detailed universe of Omaha in the 1960s and 1970s, and the results are breathtaking. As a lover of contemporary American fiction, I place her among the likes of Anne Tyler and Barbara Kingsolver. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!

The novel opens in a compelling way, as before we begin, we know that Charlotte will not come home. Until and after we get to that point, we are treated to a wealth of interesting characters who, like us all, do the best they can in a time, the 60s, and place, Omaha, that limit them. Smith writes with truthful candor about untimely death and its impact on the Holly family and their friends. The novel portrays all its varying characters with generosity, compassion, and understanding.

I was profoundly affected by Smith's precision in writing but most importantly by the novel's story. It is brilliant!

This is the story of Fred Holly, growing up in Omaha in the 1960s and 1970s; and the Holly family--Fred, Sarah, Laurence, who has Down's syndrome, and Charlotte, the youngest.

The Holly family gets to know neighbor James Day well, as he takes dance lessons at the same studio along with Sarah. Their parents, Morgan and Eileen and Serena and Ronald, become close friends. The children grow up in an almost idyllic world--with performances for the parents and friends in the attic that is their space, and art and dance classes, and a special school for Laurence.

Fred early on realizes he longs to live in the ivory tower that is the Joslyn Museum. He he takes classes there, volunteers, and dreams of being a museum director and leaving Omaha. As he gets older, he and his best friend James are exposed to the world of rock and roll, and first loves. Fred loves from afar, and helps his beloved though a rocky relationship with another boy. He is also angered by James' attraction to his debate coach, Neil; and does not quite understand his anger.

As they near age 18, the Vietnam War is raging. Suddenly Charlotte is ill--the annoying 11-year-old little sister who wanted to always hang out with the teenagers, who borrowed records and stole change--and their lives change forever.

This is Maureen Millea Smith's first novel, and it is a true gem. Intriguing and well-defined characters, a talent for depicting an era and a place, and a wonderful story combine to make this book nearly perfect.

Armchair Interviews: This would make a great book for a book club.

This book takes the reader deliciously back to the decades of the 60s and 70s. I laughed out loud when reading the author's description of the children's view of their parent's adult nights out. TheRolling Stones, Kent State, the Ed Sullivan Show, the draft and Vietnam are all captured delicately and beautifully, within the pages of Smith's book. I hurt and laughed and cried right along with the Holly family. This is a sensitive, funny and heartwarming book. Definitely destined to be a classic!

WHEN CHARLOTTE COMES HOME is a beautifully written story. Fred was a sensitive young man growing up in a Catholic family in Omaha when the death of his spunky younger sister caused a deep and far-reaching affect on his entire family and broader community. With the bleak backdrop of the 60's and 70's, Fred looks back on his early, formative years and his own sexual awakening and coming of age as a young gay man. Beautifully written, evocative of a definitive time and place, this story of one family's loss will resonate for anyone who has ever lost someone they love. And young people deciding who and how to love will find solace here too.

This book is an underrated classic and it's truly a damn shame that it's no longer in print! Essentially, this is Martin Luther King's blueprint plans for a post Civil-Rights movement America. He speaks of multiethnic coalitions, against the less positive aspects of Black nationalism, and he speaks of ways to "turn the streetcorners of the ghettos from dens of iniquity to miniature schools." Much of what he says here is quite practical also. Read this and you will be happy that, although Dr. King is no longer with us, his message has been preserved.

This book is simply amazing. Even though it was written 45 years ago, it has a terrific insight into the problems of America. Even though I am not Christian, I find that Martin Luther's ideas really apply to all people, no matter who they are. Its a pity that more Americans don't read his books. Anyhow, if you can find it, I highly recommend that you read it! :)

The beauty and depth of this book is that it tells us about human political relations today even though it was written over 30 years ago!

I also like that it is Martin Luther King in his own words (not some opportunistic interpretation of his ideas) on subjects like:
Black Power
Affirmative Action
Poverty
Love

It also makes it painfully clear the Martin Luther King Jr. was far more extraordinary in his leadership than we give him credit for being today. He thought deeply, connected the dots, and put his life behind his ideals. This is a must read for anyone who hasn't already connected the dots between justice, religion and love.

As a reader one often searches for a book that will inspire, and yet, teach. Martin Luther King has done just this. His prose educates and inspires passion. As an avatar for civil rights Martin Luther King Jr's story is as compelling as any figure in history-white or black. And if any reader wants to get a true measure of this brilliant man, look not just to the words of others, but to the words of the man himself. Allow Martin to transport you with his pithy, unpretentious prose to an area of higher consciousness.

Truly remarkable. A worthy read for any generation and for any interest-whether your interest be in history or in education, in a lesson in passion or well-written prose. Martin's words asks us the difficult questions that we are so afraid to ask ourselves. A reading of this Classic treatise can certainly raise one above the chaos that still exists and inspire us to build a community of human beings.

A read worthy of a 9 for content and for force.

Dr. King's penultimate book provides a snapshot of where we were in 1967. Two turning points had been reached.

First, his program of nonviolent direct action was clearly winning the struggle against old fashioned southern segregation, and Dr. King was looking toward the next step. He believed that the next logical step toward setting people free was a massive government program addressing the problem of poverty.

Second, within the civil rights movement, a "black power" mentality was gaining prominence. Some argued that whites should be excluded from the civil rights movement, and that nonviolence should be abandoned. Dr. King insisted that this approach would only balkanize our country, having disastrous effect, especially on blacks.

As with his other books, the author's brilliance, his scholarship, and his Christian love all come through.

It would be best to read "Stride Toward Freedom" and "Why We Can't Wait" before reading this one.

Compiled, edited, and with an introduction by poet, novelist, editor, literary critic, and social activist Daniela Gioseffi, Women On War: An International Anthology Of Writings From Antiquity To The Present showcases women's observations predicting war, suffering its toll, finding the courage to resist, surviving against impossible odds, and so much more. A powerful and unforgettable work transcending eras and borders, Women On War is recommended for Women's Studies, Military Studies, and Social Issues reading lists.

The first edition of this anthology, published in 1988, was subtitled Essential Voices for the Nuclear Age and won an American Book Award. This second edition is certainly well timed. While it still addresses issues of the nuclear age and the further past it seems to speak directly to today's conflicts. Ranging widely in time and place, the over 150 women featured here (e.g., Anna Akmatova, Marguerite Duras, Virginia Woolf, Toni Morrison, and Emily Dickinson) include professional writers in several areas as well as activists (such as members of RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of Women) and "ordinary" women. Well-known names such as Indian writer Arundhati Roy might jump out, but readers may be most affected by some of the first-person accounts which can, however, be difficult to read--both for their graphic descriptions and for their sheer heartrending poignancy. Editor Gioseffi's introduction nicely contextualizes the wide-range contributions.

WOMEN ON WAR, edited with an introduction by Daniela Gioseffi--American Book Award winning poet and non-violent peace activist for many years--is "an eloquent response to global violence that sweeps through time and across national boundaries," said Doris Jean Austin, Reviewer in THE NEW YORK TIMES, of the first edition. Austin added. "This is a book one hopes will be translated into all languages of humankind." This all new edition contains such illustrious contributors as Jane Addams, Anna Akhmatova, Daisy al-Amir, Fadwa Tuqan, Gwendolyn Brooks, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Gace Paley, Claribel Alegria, Isaabel Allende, Maya Angelou, Simone de Beauvoir, Helen Caldicott, Rosalie Bertell, Carolyn Forche, Emma Goldman, Nadine Gordimer, Kimiko Hahn, Molly Peacock, Rochelle Ratner, Pwu Jean Lee, Tsai Wen Ji, Ch'iu Chin, Robin Morgan, Gabriela Mistral, Linda Hogan, Adrienne Rich, Denise Levertov, Vandana Shiva, Arundhati Roy, Wislawa Symborska, Luisa Valenzuela, Christa Wolf, Muriel Rukeyser, June Jordan and 100 others including Daniela Gioseffi herself who writes an insiteful and politically astute overview, as well as contributing a moving poem and an apt story. There is an extensive bibliography for further reading on this vital subject, as well, and extensive headnotes on all the authors. An immensely rich collection for a nominal price! And from a not-for-profit press, The Feminist Press with N.G.O. status at the United Nations--a press with the expressed mission of getting women's voices from all cultures out into the wide world in order to improve the status of women in all walks of life and endeavors.

This new edition of Daniels Gioseffi's unique and splendid collection is urgently needed now. Framed by Gioseffi's brilliant overview of the world's crisis, these vivid and visionary writings--poetry, history, politics and prose--inspire and galvanize. This book offers the great gift of hope and understanding on every page.

Blanche Wiesen Cook, author of ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

In his recent book "War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning," Chris Hedges argues that many of us find war alluring because it gives our otherwise humdrum and centerless existences a sense of meaning. We feel part of something greater than ourselves, and as a consequence feel larger than life. Of course, this sense of deep meaning is illusory, but it does account in part for why so many men find themselves attracted to something as terrible as war.

One of the great merits of Daniela Gioseffi's multi-merited "Women on War" is its documentation of the other side. In our obsession with battlefield glory and stories of combat heroics, we too often forget that women and children are the forgotten victims of war. Already extremely vulnerable, they become even more so when societies are ripped asunder by the mayhem of armed conflict. In listening to their voices, we are reminded that the allure of war too frequently blinds us to what it does to those who can least afford its violence.

Gioseffi's book collects women's perspectives on war from all corners of the globe and from ancient to contemporary times. The book is divided into four thematic sections: "Prophecies and Warnings," "Violence and Mourning," "Courage and Resistance," and "Hope and Survival." The entire collection is prefaced with a superb introductory essay, "Cassandra's Daughters." As suggested by the thematic section titles, the selections go beyond expressing the suffering and torment experienced by women in wartime. Just as importantly, the selections also include women's voices of resistance and women's voices that offer alternatives to the madness of war. Some of the selections are heart-breaking, others are inspiring, none are superfluous or redundant. if war in part arises, as Hedges maintains, because of our alienated need for meaning, one solution to the problem of war is to figure out how to live nonalienated existences. The selections in this collection, especially in the final two sections, offer either direct or indirect suggestions for celebrating rather than destroying life. One of my favorites is the "I Have All the Passion of Life" by Puerto Rican poet Lolita Lebron:

"...Whoever denies life its joy,
the wealth of its complexity,
its rainbow-like countenance,
its downpour and its universe
of beauty, its generous giving,
the caress, the grain
with fruit and delicacies,
the bud, the flower, pain and
laughter;
those who deny life its measure
of joy
are the unseeing ones." (p. 300)

In short, a superb resource for anyone concerned about creating an alternative to the war system. Highly recommended for both individual and group reading. Would be an ideal text in any peace studies course.

i received the book in excellent condition. it provides a reasonably comprehensive history of the second half of the 20th century.

The book is rather boring but contains a lot of information. Thats about all i have to say.

This book definetely among the best modern international history books that I have read. The text is clear and concise and uses new information revealed since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Furthermore, the book is of a suitable length and utilizes a writing style that is informative and yet, not too bland. A casual reader and a history buff could both use this book well.

Positively framed and very well described, indeed one of the best books describing the changing world since 1945.

A great book which introduces the reader to history starting from World War II. Covers topics from the nuclear arms race to the creation of the European Union. Very engaging book and not boring like many others. Pick this one up.

although fictionally Upton Sinclair unorthodoxly or unaccademically pictures the main conflict of a conflictuous XXth century. I've read it in my youth, and now again, and it is always a help to undersatnd what is going on in the world, even from a peripherical point of view. It's overflowing, verboragic and not literaly commendable; it's not history, but it is surely didactical. It's outdated, perhaps oldfashioned, but it is a work on its own merits that deserves to be read, and an interested reader will find enlightining and useful.

I majored in history in college, but this series (read over a 6-month period) gave me a better understanding of the European viewpoint of modern history than I got from any of my college classes. From the beginning of World War I until the Cold War of the 1950's, Sinclair provides a perspective from each of the participants in the conflicts, not simply "our" side. Lanny Budd is clearly a fantastical character with unlimited access to decision makers (and to funds) but he allows the reader to see history from multiple scenes.
Clearly, Sinclair has his own political perspective (which is most visible in the last volumes as Lanny spends more time in the United States) but it doesn't detract from the scope of the novels. I wish I had read these while I was in college.. and wish that everyone responsible for foreign policy today had read them, too.

If you want to know what's going on with George Bush junior's fascination with Iraq, read this book. Quite clearly it shows how shortly after the turn of the century, Britain and France wanted to make sure they got access to oil ahead of Germany, despite the German's industrial base growing faster than that in Britain in France. The target: Mesopotamia. And what is Mesopotamia? Modern day Iraq. Also of interest was the explanation that Germany's superior air power during WWI was in part attributed to French industrialists who sold the materials necessary to Switzerland who in turn sold to Germany, which Germany used to attack France: all in the name of profit.

Beyond the historical references, the story is wonderfully told, and Lanny Budd's character is extraordinarily and realistically portrayed with true emotion and depth, quite an achievement for that period of time.

This series of books is exceptional and I hope to read all of them.

The Lanny Budd series of novels, starting with Worlds End, originally printed in the days of WW2, give the reader a greater understanding of the world events.

While the main character Lanny Budd is fictional, the historical figures are fairly true to life. You have to remember that Upton Sinclair has a socialist/left wing bias or perspective, but he is fairly even handed and that should not discourage the right wing reader.

I think one of the most valuable thing you get is a perspecive on how things were viewed by the different sides as the events transpired.

The plot starts in pre WW1 Europe, and the following books takes you thru WW2.

The books have been out of print for years, so I have been buying these books at used/rare shops to get the whole series. I am glad to see they are being reprinted - long at last.

Master Craftsman! His command over language, the construction of sentences are nothing short of being stupendous. Whilst classics of Shakespeare or Dickens are still available - Upton's brilliant gems are hidden in depths of anonymity. What a crime! Whoever reads this review relegate Dan Brown to garbage, make origami of Steele's books and use Sidney Sheldon as toilet paper. Shockingly funny this Lanny Budd series is a class act. Students of English Language must look treat this
series as their Bible!

The question: can a ten-year-old topical reference still be relevant? The answer: in the case of 50 Ways to Fight Censorship, you bet. This slim, plain-speaking book by former Rolling Stone editor Dave Marsh, with several contributors who range from author and Paris Review editor George Plimpton to poet Allen Ginsberg and a television writer, has very sound, constitutional advice that remains current, even if it was around before the Internet. Now that the Supreme Court has conferred the presidential tiara on George W. Bush, we are seeing the return of the right-wing censors of the Reagan-Bush era, like Dick Cheney and James Baker. We already have been hearing proposals for limiting speech on the Internet. We need a manual like this to make sure we act, not just react, to preserve our first and most fundamental right as Americans, to speak freely and to decide for ourselves what is appropriate to read, hear and view.

For all those people out there who want to stand up, who want to make their voices heard in the ongoing battle against censorship, but just don't know what to do: Dave Marsh has your answer. "50 Ways to Fight Censorship..." is packed with ideas of how you can join in the fight, be it locally or nationally. Marsh provides lists of oranizations you can get in touch with to help get you started, and his suggestions are practical enough for just about anybody to make an impact.

Finally, a book that tells the truth about censorship, and what you can do to provent it. This is a must for everyone who is interested in stopping censorship, and I think the censors should read it too. As a relaty check. Sorry to be sor preachy, but The book is great. Read it!

Have you ever walked into a library and not been able to get the book you wanted? Or walk into a movie store, but the title had been banned? Perhaps you aked yourself why? Or what you could do to stop the government from pulling titles simply because they dont like it. The first thing that you could do, is read this book. This book talks about numerous things you can do to stop the censors for taking away your first amendment right. Everytime you are denied anything because of censorship, your freedom of speech is being violated. Authors, artists, musicians, and directors are all being halted from showing the world their thoughts due to censorship, and we have to stop it now!

I'm always surprised at how much my wife can pack for a vacation. But this year she was amazed at how much I could pack into a vacation - thanks in part to this handy little compendium of a country full of festivals. I was able to plot a none-too-circuitous springtime route through New Mexico, Arizona and California, catching everything from the Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show in Albuquerque to the Festival of the West in Scottsdale to the Redwood Dixieland Jazz Festival in Eureka - and a lot more in between. The moral of this book is that wherever you are, there's a lot going on just down the road that you've probably never heard of but that you wouldn't want to miss.

This book is by the people who do festivals.com, so they've got the resources to put out an exhaustive compilation of art shows, fairs and festivals in un-virtual, tangible, thumb-through-able form. Now I'm waiting for their 2004 edition so I can start packing things into next year's vacation.

My sister got this book as a gift and we've had so much fun using it to plan weekend get aways. It's full of great ideas for things we can do with the kids. I'd highly recommend it for anyone looking to explore your own back yard!

We're heading off on our summer roadtrip and just paged through 600 Festivals. I love it! Now we can stop in any state along the way and relax and let the kids run wild at a festival while we gorge ourselves on local fare. I only wish every festival had a full color page!

A perfect resource for summer-time travels. Very easy to use - all of the events are organized by state, plus the book provides brief and informative background information on each of the event(s). Overall great information on local events, festivals, fairs, etc. If you are travelling this summer, this is a great book to check out before you leave or to bring along on your vacation.

I've read a lot of books on immigration policy and history and finally - someone is explaining what should be out there front and center, the thing that shows that Lou Dobbs is as ignorant as he is hateful - it's the global story of migration. Rinku Sen and Fekkak Mamdouh use story and history, memories and data to explain the conditions that drive migration and the U.S.'s role in creating them.
Migrants are whole people in this book, with dreams and pasts and personalities, not just a source of cheap labor that the u.s. born must "tolerate" if we want our cable installed or victims whose plight is to be lamented.
And for anyone who wants to learn about the racial heirarchy of the restaurant industry, or lessons in organizing strategies and the challenges of creating cooperatives, a centerpiece of the book the evolution of ROC (Restaurant Opportunities Center) in the aftermath of 9/11.
Not since Mai Ngai's Impossible Subjects has there been such an important book for anyone who wants to get real about about why the question of immigration will never be understood until the u.s. deals with its structural racism and quest for empire. And Sen's background as an organizer and journalist make this a work that has the potential for mass readership.
It's time to flip the script, and the Accidental American does it.

Sen and Mamdouh have successfully utilized this extremely personal story to illustrate the larger plight of the modern day immigrant. In a country where we are all either immigrants or decedents of immigrants - (unless of course you happen to be 100% Native American) where we point to the Statue of Liberty and proudly recite the Lazarus poem - "Give me your tired, your hungry your huddled masses yearning to be free" - we seem to have lost our way. The newspapers, the hate mongers and the politicians often play to individual insecurities when they cry out about our need to secure our boarders and to protect our country from foreigners. The statistics are always thrown at us 6 million, 10 million, 20 million illegal immigrants - we have to do something - they rant. Sen and Mamdouh put a face on these numbers, they tell a touching story of the reality of the effect of our immigration policy or non policy and what it has done to our American spirit. Extremely moving and well written. Bravo - a must read for all.

If you've ever wondered about the life story of the guy who drives you to the airport or serves you a meal in a restaurant, then you want to read this book. Fekkak Mamdouh's life is both typical and extraordinary, from his childhood in Morocco to his struggle for the rights of all restaurant workers. It is a very engaging way to learn more about immigration policy. Whatever your views on immigration are, Mamdouh's story reminds us of the humanity of all people.

To say that this book was a pleasant surprise is like saying that water in a desert oasis is an unnecessary extravagance. Since biographies and pure mind-candy fare take up most of my leisure reading, I was ready for a jargon filled sleeper. Instead Sen's The Accidental American took me on a gripping journey through our nation's often-tragic labor and immigration woes. All of this and more is wrapped in Mamdouh's own unexpected, some would say accidental, American experience.

Sen connects the dots between the real life experiences of people surviving wars abroad and discrimination in the US, to the rules of game as they are dictated by Beltway politics and societal stereotypes. In this book, the context of our nation's struggles is more complicated than the pre and post 911 analysis given on talking-head shows. We are shown a rare well-intended DC lobbyist, who is forced to deal with the in-your-face racism of mainstream operatives. New York City's restaurant culture of backroom exploitation and front of the house indulgence is skillfully set in the realm of historical labor struggles and dehumanizing immigration policy. And not to be content with just laying bare our nation's problems, Sen does something that too many so-called progressives miss entirely. She offers tangible, sensible solutions.

Tackling race, politics, policy and the lives of real people in a way that is compelling and intelligent is quite a feat. Sen does this and more. The Accidental American is indeed worth the read.

A walk through the book of Acts like no other commentary. Volume 4 of Ellen G. White's 5 volume Conflict of the Ages series, insight beyond any other non-Biblical writer. Try reading the entire series from beginning to end for an astounding experience.

This book, being among a set of 5, reveals the nature of Sin and its far-reaching impact on all. As with all Ellen White's books, she conveys the way toward the abhorence of sin and to the Grace of a righteous life in Jesus. From the book, "Patriarchs & Profits", to "The Triumph of God's Love" (now titled, "The Great Controversay"), I have personally experienced steady growth in the Spirit of Christ Jesus. Thank God for Ellen White!

This book, being among a set of 5, reveals the nature of Sin and its far-reaching impact on all. As with all Ellen White's books, she conveys the way toward the abhorence of sin and to the Grace of a righteous life in Jesus. From the book, "Patriarchs & Profits", to "The Triumph of God's Love" (now titled, "The Great Controversay"), I have personally experienced steady growth in the Spirit of Christ Jesus. Thank God for Ellen White!

If you want to read a wonderful, general commentary dealing primarily with the events of the book of Acts, read this book. Here is a great quote from the chapter Transformed by Grace. "Prayer is heaven's ordained means of success in the conflict with sin and the development of Christian character....For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength to do His work, for any gift He has promised, we may ask; and the promise is, "Ye shall receive." (Acts of the Apostles, p. 564).

Here is another wonderful statement. "Your sins may be as mountains before you; but if you humble your heart and confess your sins, trusting in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, He will forgive and will cleanse you from all unrighteousness." (Acts of the Apostles, p. 566).

This book was written years ago and you might find the style somewhat quaint, but you will be blessed if you are seeking for deep spiritual refreshment.